Signs that Donald Trump is taking steps to a more reconciliatory approach to Muslims are emerging from his team in the wake of victory.

Muslims in Britain and the United States are among people worldwide who have voiced concern about Trump in the White House.

Now Trump's statement that he will take steps to prevent Muslim immigration has disappeared from his website.

The statement, posted in December 2015, read: "Donald J Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on.

"According to Pew Research, among others, there is great hatred towards Americans by large segments of the Muslim population."

Trump cited a Center for Security Policy poll that found 25 per cent of US Muslims agreed that violence against Americans in the United States was "justified" as part of global jihad and more than half agreed Muslims in America should have the choice of being governed according to Sharia law.

"Shariah authorizes such atrocities as murder against non-believers who won't convert, beheadings and more unthinkable acts that pose great harm to Americans, especially women," said the statement, cached on Google.

In his victory speech, however, Trump toned down the rhetoric and called for unity. He pledged to stand for civil liberties and to be "president for all Americans". And the page on his website was altered to one encouraging donations to his campaign, The Independent reports.

As many in America struggled to come to terms with the result, thousands of protesters took to the streets, shouting slogans such as: "Not my president" and "No Trump, No KKK, No Fascists USA". In Los Angeles, a freeway had to be closed down because of the large number of protesters and a super-size effigy of an orange-haired Trump head was burned on the streets. There were demonstrations in many other cities also including Boston, Philadelphia and San Francisco.

In New York, 15 people were arrested after thousands marched on Trump Tower. Police were attacked by people throwing missiles in Oakland, California and were forced to use tear gas to restore order.

Later today, at 4pm UK time, Trump and his wife Melania will meet President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama at the Whie House. Obama has said he is heartened by Trump's statements so far since winning the election.

But Muslim leaders remain extremely concerned. Nihad Awad, national executive director of the Council of American-Islamic Relations, said at a press conference: "We are not going anywhere and we will not be intimidated or marginalised. God willing, the American Muslim community will continue to mobilise to challenge bigotry, to uphold justice and protect freedoms and rights of all Americans." 

Anthony D Romero, director of the American Civil Liberties Union, urged Trump to reconsider campaign promises such as his plan to remove 11 million undocumented immigrants as well as the proposal to ban new Muslim immigrants. He also called on him to change course on campaign pledges that he would punish women who have abortions, bring back "waterboarding" torture and strengthen America's libel laws.

"Our staff of litigators and activists in every state, thousands of volunteers and millions of card-carrying members and supporters are ready to fight against any encroachment on our cherished freedoms and rights," Romero said.